I have three books of the Perfect Patchwork System, Encyclopedia of Patchwork Blocks from Marti Michell. Volumes one and two are my all time favorite pattern books. They are not very bulky, but boy are they packed with good stuff!
She uses a strip-cutting and template method for her piece cutting, but she also includes full-sized paper templates in the back if you don't want to buy the acrylic ones. The books run about $10 and I have seen them in some LQS stores, or you can order them online. I imagine that you could improvise with a marking pencil and ruler.
I LOVE the fact that there are multiple sizes given for each block and that there are about 80 block patterns in each book. They are not printed in full color, but in shades of purple and black. I know that sounds kind of odd, but it works well enough to let you see the contrasts. There are also line drawings, so you can color in your own pattern, although I'd suggest making a copy or using graph paper.
Some of the blocks have the optical illusion feel that you were talking about, and others are actually three dimensional. I suggest you check out her website, as there is a way to view some of the patterns before you buy the books. www.frommarti.com

I have other quilting books and I do use them for ideas and inspiration. I usually try to check them out from the library before I commit to buying them. I have limited shelf space and limited funds these days, so I am trying to shop smarter. If there is only one pattern that intrigues me, I'll bring the book home, sketch it out, add that to the inspiration binder, and return the book to the library.
These are also some fun ones that I have added over the years:
Big Book of Quick Rotary Cutter Quilts - Pam Bono Designs (Small pieces warning here!)
Quilts a la Carte - Pam Bono Designs (Table cloths & place mats)
501 Quilt blocks - Better Homes & Gardens (Super small pieces warning, but blocks can be enlarged from 4" size)
Our Best Seasonal Quilts from Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting - Leisure Arts (All sorts of techniques used in here)

If you decide to buy off of Amazon and you check the Used section, make sure they state that any included pattern sheets are still attached! I never though too much about that, until one of the sellers actually listed that in their blurb.

Happy Book Hunting!